View/Open

Date

Author

Metadata

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted in Nyagatare District, Rwanda, to explore the factors
influencing family planning methods in the district. Family planning is a service used to regulate
the growth rate in low-, middle- and high-income countries. John Guillebaud was wary of the
growing population rate and commented that the scale of the population in the world is
problematic. He argued, “There are 79 million extra people arriving in the world each year” and
adds that there is an estimation of around 60 million deaths and 139 million births. Tedder adds
that billions are added in the world constantly where there are already more than 6.7 billion
people. Recently, on Monday 31st October 2011, the United Nations reported that the world
population had reached seven billion.
Aim: The overall aim of the study was to identify factors that influence family planning methods
in Nyagatare District in Rwanda.
Method: In this study, a quantitative descriptive design with a positivist paradigm guided the
whole research process. Two levels of sampling were done. The first was random sampling for
the selection of healthcare centres where five healthcare centres were selected out of a total of
eighteen. The second level was probability sampling with a systematic strategy, which was used
to select the participants at healthcare centres. A total of 137 women volunteered to participate in
the study and completed an anonymous questionnaire. The authorisation to carry out the research
was obtained from Nyagatare District and five healthcare centres. The research was approved by
the University of KwaZulu-Natal Ethics Committee.
The data was analysed using SPSS version 19 and the results are presented in tables and figures.
Numerical data were tested for their distribution by means of the skewness test. The Kruskal-
Wallis test and Fisher’s exact test were done to test the association between family planning
methods and socio-demographic factors.
Results: The findings revealed four top family planning methods in use in Nyagatare District,
namely injection, diaphragm, condom and withdrawal. The family planning methods that are not
used in Nyagatare District are emergency contraceptives and implants. Women who reside in
Nyagatare District see family planning in a positive way and they agree that family planning is
important. Information on family planning in Nyagatare District was sourced from healthcare
centres, theradio, nurses and community health workers and a significant 7.3% from the
traditional birth attendants.
The test of association showed the significance value at marital status with ap-value=0.001.
Other socio-demographic factors are not statistically significant.
The research report ends with a summary of the limitations of the study, the recommendations
directed to the Ministry of Health, local government of Nyagatare district and suggestions for
further research.